ViewSonic VG2427wm Review

The ViewSonic VG2427wm gets points for a good assortment of ergonomic features–including screen height adjustment, 180 degrees swivel, and 25 degrees tilt. It also includes three USB ports and great movie and game performance. Yet, even with these attributes, we find it difficult to recommend the ViewSonic at its slightly higher than average asking price of $367. In contrast, the $300 Dell SP2309 with its 2,048×1,152-pixel resolution and the $250 Dell G2410 with its stellar performance are better buys. Also, we felt the ViewSonic’s hollow and fragile-feeling chassis makes its price even harder to swallow.

Design and features
The 24-inch ViewSonic VG2427wm has a matte screen and a plain, black matte finish chassis. The base panel measures just more than an inch in depth, with a full depth of 2.6 inches with the ventilation system and connection options (that’s average compared with other 24-inch models). The bezel measures a smallish 0.75-inch on all sides and the screen height is adjustable by 5.25 inches. When the screen is at its lowest point, there are four inches between the bottom of the bezel and the desktop. The panel swivels left and right 180 degrees and tilts back 25 degrees, but there is no pivot option for portrait mode.

The circular footstand measures 9.75 inches in diameter. When the panel is extended to its highest point, the display wobbles a considerable amount when knocked from the sides. It wobbles dramatically less at its lowest point.

Connection options include DVI and VGA, but it doesn’t support HDMI. Next to the video ports are two USB downstream ports and one upstream port. All the ports are fairly easily accessible to the right of the display’s neck. On the back of the display’s stand are two vertically aligned hooks that hold the power and video cords for keeping them tidy. The stand is removable for mounting the display to a wall VESA-style. However, you’ll have to supply your own mount.

The onscreen display button array, which is designated by a blue LED light in the middle of the bezel’s bottom, consists of two numbered buttons and up and downs arrow controls. Navigating the OSD is painless thanks to the simple interface. Press the “1” control for initial access, use the arrow controls to navigate, and press the “2” control to select an option. You also use the arrow button to adjust attributes. There are no presets included, but the OSD has controls for contrast, brightness, and color. The color options give you the capability to choose color temperature, SRGB mode, or to customize the Red, Green, and Blue settings manually.

The OSD also includes a Dynamic Contrast setting that, once switched on, makes the screen automatically darken depending on its current luminance. Eco mode is another feature, where you can choose from the settings, Standard, Optimize, and Conserve. Each setting adjusts the brightness automatically.

Along the top back of the panel are the built-in speakers. The volume is adjustable via the OSD, but it sounds muffled even at its highest setting and it lacks bass. Also, when the volume was cranked, the sound got tinny.

The ViewSonic VG2427wm’s 16:9 aspect ratio supports a “Full HD” native resolution of 1,920×1,080 pixels. This continues the trend of more and more monitor vendors moving toward 16:9 from 16:10 because high-definition content–in particular 1080p movies–can fit onto a 1,920×1,080-pixel screen without distorting the image.

The VG2427wm achieved a brightness score of 266 candelas per square meter (cd/m2)–shy of ViewSonic’s claimed 300 cd/m2 max. The Dell G2410 achieved a lower brightness with 234 cd/m2, but was closer to Dell’s 250 cd/m2 claim. On our dark screen test, the ViewSonic exhibited some backlight bleed through on the top and bottom edges of the screen. Our Kill Bill Vol. 1 DVD test yielded apparent ghosting on the ViewSonic and colorwise, the Dell wins with much more balanced and accurate colors. The ViewSonic’s color looked slightly washed out in comparison.

Unreal Tournament 3 looked great and had vibrant colors running at a 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution. We saw no signs of input lag, blurring, or streaking during fast movement.

The optimal viewing angle for a monitor is usually directly in front, about a quarter of the screen’s distance down from the top. At this angle, you’re viewing the colors and gamma correction as they were intended. Since most monitors are made to be viewed only at that angle type, picture quality at nonoptimal angles can vary. Like most monitors, the ViewSonic VG2427wm uses a TN panel, which gets overly bright or overly dark when viewed from nonoptimal angles. When we viewed the Asus from the sides or below, the screen appeared to darken only a couple inches from optimal. From the sides and below, text is still readable until viewing from about 70 degrees. Of course, when viewed from the optimal angle, we had no problems.

In the power consumption tests, the ViewSonic VG2427wm drew 39.37 watts in its Default/On mode–compared with the Dell G2410’s much lower 23.22 watts. The ViewSonic’s standby mode drew 0.42 watts compared with the G2410’s 0.48 watts. Based on our formula, the VG2427wm would cost $12.04 per year to run, compared with the G2410’s $7.26 per year. Putting the VG2427 in the Conserve Eco mode brings its price down to $6.94 per year.

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